Monthly Recap – February

Happy Monday!

After a slow start to the year, this was a busier month including birthdays, mini staycations and snow!

FONAB CASTLE

The beginning of the month began with a weekend away at Fonab Castle, a Scots Baronial castle converted into a 5* luxury hotel situated just outside of Pitlochry. A small birthday celebration for myself and a family member (we are all aquarians), I had the best time with plenty relaxation and lots of food, including a scrummy afternoon tea. Fonab Castle combines old and new architecture, with cosy yet opulent interiors, bold décor, and stunning views out onto Loch Faskally.

INTERIOR SKETCHING

I have not been great at making time for my sketching practise recently and am determined to create a routine where I make sure each week I do at least one completed drawing. I did partly finish the @behindcanvas Top 3 Quick Interior Hand Rendering Techniques course, in which I drew an interior by applying swift and speedy sketching techniques with colour rendering practise. Both images took me under an hour to complete, which in hindsight shows me there is no excuse for not practising my sketching more!

Stephanie has also been really kind and offered me a 10% discount code to share with you all. Just enter JALANINTERIOR upon payment when purchasing her sketching courses.

CHECK OUT BEHIND CANVAS HERE

BRAEMAR & THE FIFE ARMS

My second weekend away this month was not too far from home, the highland town of Ballater. A short drive from Braemar, we took a trip for lunch at the Flying Stag pub within The Fife Arms Hotel. I have previously shared my love for The Fife Arms, both here and on my Instagram, and was so happy to be able to go and enjoy lunch, wandering around the hotel taking in the eclectic décor and artwork.

CHECK OUT THE FIFE ARMS BLOG HERE

Braemar itself is a charming town with some lovely new shops popping up, including a deliciously decadent chocolate shop. I suspect The Fife Arms is influencing some of these changes and we noticed the Invercauld Arms Hotel has been taken over by the same hospitality firm Artfarm Ltd. Undergoing renovations that will reinvent the hotel as a “retreat like no other – offering art and wilderness in a unique setting” due to open in 2024. Watch this space.

I was also thrilled to have spotted the @accidentlywesanderson inspired railway building, even snapping my own insta pic.

THE PINK LODGE

Talking of insta snap hot spots, I was out walking last weekend and found the Pink Lodge on Loch Glass. It was a horribly misty and wet day, so I did not get the best view, but a pink house in the middle of nowhere is always going to pique my interest.

BOOKS READ THIS MONTH